15th Challenge Illes Balears - 1.1 (x5)

Spain, February 5-9, 2006

Stage 4 - February 8: Soller - Port De Soller, 150.6 km

Bettini finally scores

After two third places in preceding stages, Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic)
has won his first race of the season. Il Grillo beat Toni Colom (Caisse
d'Epargne-Illes Balears) and David Bernabeu (Comunidad Valenciana) in a three-man
sprint, with the latter maintaining his lead in the general classification.

"After several good results, finally the victory came," said Bettini. "I knew
that my condition was good, but I didn't expect to ride so strongly. Considering
how much I suffered last year at the beginning of the season, this win has really
a sweet taste. Next Tuesday I would like to race also a good Trofeo Laigueglia.
With today's victory, I will surely start with good ambition."

How it unfolded

Stage 4 was a 150.6 km leg starting and finishing in Sóller, with four Cat.
2 climbs to cover. Comunidad Valenciana and Quick.Step kept things under tight
control until the last climb, allowing no breaks to escape. On the Coll De Puig
Major, the bunch broke apart thanks to the efforts of Toni Colom, who crossed
the summit in first place. He was joined by Bernabeu, Sanchez and Bettini, but
Sanchez was dropped on the descent.

The three remaining riders kept a healthy distance between them and the peloton
over the last 10 km, and finished with just under a half minute advantage. Bettini
was the quickest in the sprint, ahead of Colom and Bernabeu, while Alejandro
Valverde led home the bunch in fourth place.

Tomorrow, the final stage of the Challenge Illes Balears will be contested.
The GP de Calvia will run from Magaluf and Palmanova and include five climbs,
three Cat. 2 and two Cat. 3.